The Career Dilemma

Hello!!

I’m a security guy with bug bounty experience. For the past three years, I’ve been involved in an exciting startup called ProjectDiscovery, where I do what I love. However, I’m always eager to explore new things to keep myself motivated. I can’t just sit back and enjoy weekends, I need to be constantly engaged. So, I thought I’d share my thoughts, which might resonate with others facing similar career dilemmas.

I consider myself a focused individual who can get things done quickly, though I admit, there are days when I procrastinate and end up achieving nothing. I believe this is a common experience, especially in these thrilling times with advancements in web3, AI, and biohacking. I’m deeply interested in all these areas, but choosing one to focus on outside my day job is a challenge.

My Main Interests Includes:

  • Bug Bounties
  • Neural Networks and AI models
  • Web3 Auditing
  • Biohacking
  • Philosophy

It’s easy to get distracted by the exciting developments around us. For instance, I’m working on a tool related to AI, but then I see people earning substantial bounties on Twitter, which makes me question my choices. Am I spending my time well on the right things?

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit but never fully explored it. As i am in web security, I’m naturally drawn to the booming field of web3 security. However, the rapid pace of AI, the allure of new projects, and the excitement of my current role often leave me in a cycle of indecision and inactivity.

I put my heart into everything I do, whether in my full-time role or a pen-testing project. But the constant urge to try something new creates a sort of anxious energy. Sharing this might help others in similar situations realize they’re not alone. I’ve been through this phase before, and things have always turned out well, just like my current role.

To break this cycle, I plan to write more, embrace failure, and avoid procrastination. For instance, if I want to learn web3 stuff, I’ll dedicate a specific time to it or I’ll give bug bounties a fair chance with few weeks of 90-minute focused sessions before deciding if it’s time to give up on bug bounties for good and focus on something else, without being swayed by others’ success. It’s not just about the $$$$$ but i fell it’s about the deep satisfaction of uncovering bugs, which is different from the feeling I get in regular pen tests. I believe it’s crucial to try things and then let them go if they don’t fit.

Social media, especially Twitter, can be a source of anxiety with everyone showcasing their achievements, but it’s also motivating. Maybe all I need is a bit more urgency to counteract my overthinking. Despite these challenges, I know I’m doing well, it’s just the ambitious part of me wanting to explore everything.

I have a natural tendency to look for trends before most people do, and I believe the future lies in Web3, AI, building personal brands, and creating content on an individual level. The more distribution you have, the greater your chances of finding an audience eager to hear what you have to say, or to engage with what you believe is worth building or dedicating time to.

This blogpost was partly inspired by Daniel Miessler’s blog post “What I’m Doing and How It’s Going“. I’m not sure if I’ll ever publish this, but writing it has been therapeutic. His insights motivated me to pen down my thoughts.

Let’s think back to when we started our careers, or maybe just a few years ago. Did we ever imagine we’d be where we are today, doing so well? Probably not. Many of the opportunities we have now weren’t even on our radar back then. I wouldn’t advise my past self to change anything, but rather to keep doing what I’m doing and enjoy the journey. In the end, everything tends to work out just fine.

During my childhood, I loved the focus and simplicity of sitting in front of a computer, doing CTFs without distractions or expectations. Times have changed, but the essence remains. The purpose of sharing this is to remind you that you’re not alone in this journey of uncertainty. Life might seem perfect from the outside, but there’s a beautiful chaos within. I believe self-confidence is essential as we navigate this uncharted path. We need to find our balance and trust our intuition, even though it’s easier said than done

Steve Jobs once said we can’t connect the dots looking forward, only backward. I’m excited about the future and open to the opportunities it brings.

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